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regular-article-logo Monday, 23 December 2024

Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino rebukes boys

After Chelsea was awarded a spot kick in the 63rd with the team leading 4-0, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson both attempted to take the ball from Malo Gusto, who was holding it while Cole Palmer — the team’s regular penalty taker who had already scored a hat trick in the first half — was on the ground having been fouled

AP/PTI London Published 17.04.24, 11:16 AM
Mauricio Pochettino

Mauricio Pochettino File image

An unseemly squabble involving six Chelsea players over who should take a penalty angered manager Mauricio Pochettino because of the message it sent around the world about his squad’s behaviour.

“You cannot behave like kids,” Pochettino said in reference to a minute-long series of bizarre confrontations in the second half of Chelsea’s 6-0 victory over Everton on Monday.

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After Chelsea was awarded a spot kick in the 63rd with the team leading 4-0, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson both attempted to take the ball from Malo Gusto, who was holding it while Cole Palmer — the team’s regular penalty taker who had already scored a hat trick in the first half — was on the ground having been fouled.

Madueke lunged to grab the ball off Gusto, and then argued with Jackson as they both walked over to the spot before experienced Brazil defender Thiago Silva got involved and talked to them while putting his arms around their shoulders.

Conor Gallagher, Chelsea’s captain, then intervened to tell Madueke that Palmer should be taking the kick, only for Jackson to try to snatch the ball off Palmer, who was about to place it on the spot. After pushing away Jackson, Palmer eventually took the penalty and scored his fourth goal of the night.

“I’m so, so upset about the situation,” Pochettino said. “In every country, people are watching the game and we cannot send this type of image. I want to apologise to our fans.”

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